The Xiris Blog

Xiris’ High Dynamic Range (HDR) welding cameras can be used in a multitude of ways, some of which our customers have discovered on their own.

For example, a manufacturer of thick-walled steel pipe recently figured out how to use our cameras in a way that has greatly improved the efficiency of their coil joining process.

Operators only have about 10 minutes to end-sheer, mate, and weld coils during the semi-automatic front-end part of the process. The cost of coil joint failure is high, so the manufacturer would stop the tube mill to check on the integrity of the coil joint before continuing.

Even though the stoppage prevented more-costly failures, it had its own cost. What our customer needed was a way to adequately monitor the end joining in the infeed buffer of the pipe mill without having to stop the process to assure correct coil matching.

They knew the capabilities of our cameras to enable real-time remote monitoring of weld processes with greater visibility than ever before possible. So they developed a plan to use Xiris XVC-110e50 cameras to monitor the coil joining during the front end of the process. This monitoring eliminates the need for routine stoppages.

This solution also keeps operators safer. Coil joining is performed using a MIG welding torch mounted onto a linear track with dual-axis torch position. Previously, operators had to be close enough to the torch to see what was happening with the weld. With the Xiris HDR cameras, they have a clear view of the coil joining process from a safe remote location.

With their creative use of our HDR camera technology, this manufacturer was able to significantly reduce the time and cost of coil joining, while increasing consistency.

Monitoring the welding process during coil joining at the front end of a tube mill is crucial to the integrity of the weld as it moves through the tube mill. Coil joint failure can be costly in terms of both time and efficiency of production on the mill. Operator safety must also be maintained by removing them from the direct welding area as much as possible while enabling them to monitor the coil joining process.

Continuous welding processes used in coil joining require real time operator monitoring to ensure that the process continues smoothly and efficiently. The Xiris XVC-1100e50 camera provides a way to do just that.

A recent Xiris customer manufactures thick walled steel pipe in a continuous high frequency welding process at 70 feet (20 m) per minute. The customer had implemented a semi-automatic coil end joining system on the infeed buffer of the pipe mill, giving the operator about 10 minutes to end sheer, mate and weld a new coil. This is sometimes referred to as end joining.

The welding process used a MIG welding torch mounted onto a linear track with dual axis torch position adjustment via a remote control pendant. With the Xiris XVC-1100e50 camera mounted to the traveling torch assembly, the operator was able to close the curtain, providing greater weld arc shielding while maintaining a clear view of the weld torch-to-seam alignment on a display screen.

The camera provided the operator with a clear, close up view of the weld process, which allowed the operator be remote from the direct welding area. By providing a clearer image of the weld process, the operator was able to make more consistent welds, reducing the potential for a joint failure as the strip is driven through the pipe making process.

For a video of the coil joining process taken by the XVC-1100e50 camera, please view the video below.

This is just one example of how Xiris products can enhance your manufacturing process. Contact Xiris sales to see how our products can enhance your unique process.